Ralph B. Baldwin papers, 1949-2001

Summary

Creator:

Baldwin, Ralph Belknap, 1912-

Abstract:

Grand Rapids, Michigan manufacturing company executive, astronomer. Technical correspondence, 1949-1992, relating to astronomical studies, particularly concerning the moon; correspondence, 1980-1981, used in preparation of his book, "The deadly fuze: a secret weapon of World War II;" speeches on astronomical subjects and pertaining to his interest in product liability reform; and unpublished autobiography.

Extent:

8 linear feet

Language:

English

Call Number:

8811 Aa 2

Authors:

Finding aid created by Bentley Historical Library staff

Background

Scope and Content:

The Baldwin collection consists of general correspondence and technical correspondence relating to astronomical topics and to the publication of his book The Deadly Fuze. There are also speeches, biographical and autobiographical material, and various materials relating to the proximity fuze. The collection largely consists of photocopies of original materials.

Biographical / Historical:

Ralph Baldwin, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a graduate of the University of Michigan. In his career, he has been both a businessman and a respected scientist. For many years he was an officer, later president of the Oliver Machinery Company in Grand Rapids. Outside of his business, Baldwin was a scientist with many interests. During World War II, he was a senior physicist in the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Here he helped develop the radio proximity fuze described in his book The Deadly Fuze. During this same approximate period, Baldwin formulated the principles of current lunar geology. He described his work in the book The Face of the Moon (1949).

Acquisition Information:

Ralph Baldwin (donor no. 4307 ) first began donating materials to the library in 1965. Periodic additions have been received since then.

Accruals:

Periodic additions to the papers are expected.

Rules or Conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Related

Additional Descriptive Data:

Related Material

Ralph B. Baldwin has donated similar collections of his papers to other repositories. These include Grand Valley State University Special Collection and University Archives and the Library of the Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland.

Subjects

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Subjects:

Astronomy -- United States.
Products liability.
Proximity fuzes.
World War, 1939-1945.

Names:

Baldwin, Ralph Belknap, 1912-

Places:

Moon.